The Ravens will have another glaring void on offense to fill as the free-agency signing period dawns today.
While still in the hunt for Derrick Mason to address their need at receiver, the Ravens must begin their search for a starting offensive lineman.
Casey Rabach, who started all 16 games at center last season, has decided to sign elsewhere, agent Tony Agnone said yesterday. According to a league source, a deal will likely be struck with the Washington Redskins and could be announced as early as today, the first day unrestricted free agents can sign with another team.
Agnone said no agreement has been reached and expected several teams to be interested in Rabach.
"[Analyst] Mel Kiper had Casey rated as the best young free agent in the pivot [27 years old], and I would have to agree," Agnone said. "We would have loved for him to stay in Baltimore. But we knew when they signed Mike Flynn last year, it was going to be time to move on."
Last offseason, the Ravens had to decide whether to invest in Flynn or Rabach as their center for the future. They ultimately signed Flynn to a five-year contract worth $11.2 million (including a $4 million signing bonus).
But when Flynn went down with a broken collarbone in training camp, Rabach replaced him so adeptly that Flynn couldn't regain his starting job after he was cleared to play again.
The Ravens are expected to give Flynn his job back at center, where he started from 2001 to 2003. The concern is filling the hole at right guard, especially with starter Bennie Anderson not expected to be re-signed.
At this moment, Brian Rimpf, a 2003 seventh-round draft pick, tops the depth chart at right guard.
"You never say never, but Bennie's pretty sure he's out of there," said Harold Lewis, Anderson's agent.
Lewis provided a grimmer outlook on the chances of inside linebacker Ed Hartwell returning to the Ravens. Hartwell has made 472 tackles over the past three seasons, a total surpassed by only Ray Lewis (510).
"He loves Baltimore, the fans there, the coaching staff and his teammates. But there's zero chance of him re-signing because it's Ray Lewis' team," said Harold Lewis, indicating Hartwell could sign with another team today or tomorrow. "With them moving to a 4-3 defense, there's no doubt who they are starting at middle linebacker. So where does that leave Ed?"
A team official said there has been no final determination whether the Ravens will convert back from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 one.
